COLLEGE APPLICATION PREP
College Application Coaching & Support
Personalized, strategic, one-on-one college application coaching that turns strong high school students into standout college applicants.
Our Process for College Prep Support
01. consultation & Planning
We start by getting to know your family. Through 1-on-1 conversations with parents and students, we clarify goals, align expectations, and build a realistic application plan that keeps everyone on track.
Parent schedules an initial call with Chilingual to discuss their child, their goals, and the parent’s goals for them.
An online meeting with the parent(s) and the high school student is scheduled.
We create a realistic application timeline and online meeting schedule.
Parents and students complete a potential colleges spreadsheet (provided by Chilingual).
02. College Application Coaching
Your child works closely with an experienced writing coach to shape a compelling application strategy, including everything from identifying which activities to highlight to choosing a powerful personal statement topic that reflects who they truly are.
Online coaching sessions to help build the student’s Activity List.
Online coaching sessions to help guide the student to select a Personal Statement topic (with parent approval).
We then share effective sample essays from previous students to help guide and inspire your child.
03. Writing & Essay Development
We guide students through every stage of the writing process: brainstorming, drafting, revising, refining, and editing their essays. We can assist with Personal Statements, college-specific supplemental essays, and essays for Honors Colleges and scholarships to ensure their voice shines and their applications stand out.
Drafting and iterative editing of the Personal Statement over multiple sessions.
Writing and revising college-specific supplemental essays using proven templates from former Chilingual clients.
Writing and revising scholarship essays to help save your family some money!
why choose chilingual?
Parents
Navigating the college application process is stressful—let us take at least one thing off of your plate.
No more nagging your kids over due dates and deadlines
Regular progress updates so there are no surprises
We have scores of sample essays from former students that will serve as models for your child.
Encouragement, structure, and accountability—handled by us so you can focus on other things, like planning college visits and tackling FAFSA.
Students
One-on-one online coaching that fits your suddenly busy schedule.
Clear timetables and check-ins to stay on track
Encouragement and feedback from someone who “gets” your voice
Access to examples from past students’ standout essays that worked
We’ll help you find your story and write with confidence
John Hennessey
Founder and Lead Instructor, Chilingual
Why Work with Chilingual?
With decades of experience in higher education, Chilingual is led by founder John Hennessy, who has spent over 25 years helping students develop confidence and clarity in their writing.
John’s background includes teaching through the U.S. State Department, at public and private universities such as UIC and Loyola, at community colleges, and at leading private language schools, as well as specialized training in college application essays through DreamRoots College Consulting.
What Parents & STudents are saying about Chilingual’s College application Support
Parent Testimonials
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As busy parents navigating the college application process with our first child, we were overwhelmed with helping our senior son meet the application deadlines. What a relief it was for John to coach our son with the Common App and essays!
Nina/ Oliver’s mom
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Chilingual made the application process very comfortable for my son. Writing is not his favorite subject, but John has a unique and humorous way of connecting with teens, which makes them feel right at home. My child was proud of his final Personal Statement, and we were appreciative of what he accomplished with John’s online classes.
Monica/ Walter’s mom
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John had a wonderful way of asking our child thoughtful questions, leading to essay themes that truly represented our son. We were impressed with his ability to help elevate our son’s essays in a way that was still authentic. We are incredibly grateful to Chilingual for the help!
Dr. Carrie/Ben’s mom
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As parents going through this for the first time, we had no idea how much went into the process. John’s guidance made all the difference. He really connected with our son and helped him create a Common App essay that we’re so proud of. We had such a great experience working with Chilingual!
Geoff/ Shane’s Dad
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As a parent of a high school senior, our son's experience applying for college was transformed by Chilingual's guidance. Our son was ultimately accepted to every single one of the programs to which he applied.
Jeff/ Oliver’s Dad
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Chilingual helped my daughter and my niece so much! John gave them direction, advice on including what was meaningful to them in their essays, and helped them organize their thoughts. He was so great about working around the busy school, sports, work, and family schedules. They both put in the work to get their personal statements done well before the early decision deadline!
Katie/ Madison’s mom
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I am the parent of a student that Chilingual helped apply for college. Their help was critically import, as my college-bound student needed help to polish his college application documents to perfection.
Kenton/ Daniel’s dad
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John understands the college application process inside and out, and his background as an exceptional English teacher truly shines through. Thanks to John, my daughter has written essays that are thoughtful, authentic, and beautifully-crafted. If you know a student preparing for college applications, do yourself a favor and choose Chilingual. They will guide your child with care, expertise, and inspiration.
Nuria/ Isabel’s mom
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John is a masterful writing coach. He worked with our child to draw out their authentic voice in a way that resonated with the structure and function of college essays.
Dr. Mark/ Ben’s dad
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Chilingual provided my son great insights into how to best complete his Common App. John shared even more valuable commentary on essays to provide a compelling acount for my son. Chilingual's advice helped my son get into his top choice college and earn valuable merit scholarships.
Mark/ Gavin’s Dad
Student Testimonials
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Chilingual was extremely helpful in teaching me to understand what colleges were looking for in my applications. John was instrumental in teaching me how to succinctly communicate my ideas while still achieving my intended message.
Gavin/ Grinnell College/ Pre-Law
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The writing skills I gained from John’s meetings will stick with me for life. His structure and tutoring took away all stress, and replaced it with a feeling of confidence for my applications and I couldn’t be any more grateful to Chilingual.
Oliver/ Central Michigan/ Auto Engineering
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Chilingual guided me in structuring my thoughts to form a compelling story for my Common App essay that would resonate with admissions committees. I was accepted into my first-choice university!
Andrew/ Uni. of Illinois/ Engineering
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Chilingual helped me write my personal statement and they gave me the format and other examples from previous students that helped me shape my own work.
Daniel/ Uni. of Illinois/ Nursing
Let us be one less thing you argue about with your teenager.
Let us be one fewer thing about which you argue with your teenager.
We help families navigate college applications with clarity and calm. Book a free consultation, and we’ll build a plan that keeps your child on track, reduces familial stress, and saves you money with possible scholarships.